Method and apparatus for forming bandage strips



June 27, 1944. w. D. YOUNG METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING BANDAGE-STRIPS Filed Nov. 30, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 .Wuunm DYQUNG &

June 27, 1944. w 3, YOUNG 2,352,354

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING BANDAGE STRIPS Filed Nov. :50 1942 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Hg: 5 sa WILL/HM 0 )(w v C1 Inventor Qltorucus June 27,1944. w p YQUNG 2,352,354

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING BANDAGE STRIPS Filed Nov. 30, 1942 I 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Snventor: WILL/QM D. YouNG (lttornegS June 27, 1 944. w.D. YOUNG METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING BANDAGE STRIPS Filed Nov. 30,1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 lllfl r 1 4 a 1 (Ittornen Patented June 27, 1944METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORDHNG BANDAGE STRIPS William D; Young,Greenville, S, C. Application November 30, 1942, Serial No. 467,351

. Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of bandage strips or pads,sanitary napkins, and

the like, and more especially to an improved forming apparatus foraccurately feeding a continuous sheet of cover over a continuous lap offiller material.

In the manufacture of bandages, such as disclosed in my co-pendingpatent application en-.

1 titled Bandage and method of making same, Se-

rial No. 460,252, filed September 30, 1942; it is desirable to form thebody portion thereof in one.

continuous length, and then cut this length into shorter lengths so thatbandages can be made therefrom. One of thechief defects in many,

bandages resides in the positions of the seams which serve to form atubular cover around the filler material. Unless these seams occupy theproper positions away from the contact surface of the bandage, theribbed surfaces created by the seams will serve to irritate the woundsurfaces of the patients body. Furthermore, the seams are usuallyformednear two joined edges of the tubular cover and then the cover isturned inside-out and over the filler material. After turning the cover,the projecting edges of the'cover, which formerly were on the exterior,will be disposed inside and adjacent the seam, to thereby add to thesize of the rib at the seam line.

It is an object of this invention to provide a hollow bandage formerhaving means for sewing the side edges of a longitudinally moving coverstrip together while passing over the exterior of the former to make atubular cover, and also having means for turning and then directing theseamed cover reversely inside of the former and over a continuouslymoving bat of filler material to thereby encase the filler material.

It is another object of this invention to provide a former of the classdescribed in combination with means for rotating the tubular cover andassociated seam about the longitudinal axis of the hollow former afterthe cover passes the sewing mechanism. This rotation of the cover on theexterior of the former causes the seam line to be positioned away fromthe contact face of the bandage where no injury or discomfort will beinflicted upon the patient when the bandage is used.

It is another object of this invention to provide a former having meansfor directing the longitudinal projecting edges of the tubular cover,which edges are normally disposed on the outside of the seam line, intosubstantially parallel relation to one of the faces of the cover. It isevident that much less space will be occupied by the projecting edgeswhen disposed in parallel relation to one of the cover faces, andconsequently, a smaller rib will be formed on the bandage when the coveris turned inside out and reversely directed over a bat of fillermaterial.

It is another object of this inventionto provide a former having animprovedmeans for folding a traveling sheet of material substantiallyalong its longitudinalcenter line and for guiding the edges of thefoldedsheet'into substantially parallel superposed positions .while beingunited 'bya sewingmechanism'to form a tubular cover. Heretofore muchdifficulty has been encountered on. account of the edges of the sheet ofmaterial deviating from the desired path of travel, resulting in one ede extending further beyond the. seam line thanjthe other, The presentfolding means positively defines the path of travel of each edge of thefolded cover sheet, and therefore produces uniformity'in the sewedtubular cover throughout its length.

Some of, the objects of the invention having been stated, otherobjectswill appear as the description proceeds when taken in, connection withthe accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of apparatus for making a bandagestrip or pad;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 22 in Figure'1, illustrating the supporting and primary forming mechanism for thebandage cover sheet; 7

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in Figure, 1illustrating the approximate folded position of the-cover sheet prior tothe same entering the secondary bandage former;

Figure 4 is a sectional view line 4-4 in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in Figure 1, saidview illustrating the cover sheet disposed within the secondary formingmechanism and in a more completely folded position than illustratedin'Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a'sectional, view taken along the line 'l----'! in Figure 1,illustrating the third formation of the bandage or .pad cover sheet;

'Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional detail view taken along the line 88in Figure 1, said view illustrating the bandage cover after the foldededges have been united by a seam, and also illustrating a guiding meansfor turning the projecting cover edges, beyond the seam, to parallelpositions to one of the faces of the tubular cover;

Figure 9 is an enlargedsectional detail View taken along the ,line' 99in Fi ure 1, further illustrating the projecting edges of the tubularcover when in a completely, folded position against one of the faces ofthe tubular cover;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the line Illl 0 in Figure 1;

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken along the lineH-L-ll in Figure 1;

Figure12 is an isometric view of one end of taken along the the formingtube, illustrating the guiding mechanism for turning the projectingedges which are beyond the cover seam into substantially parallelrelationship to one of the faces of the tubular cover;

Figure 13 is a schematic isometric view, illustrating the various foldsof the cover material prior to the same encasing a lap of fillermaterial, but omitting the forming apparatus;

Figure 14 is a plan view, similar to the upper right-hand portion ofFigure 1, illustrating a slightly modified form of the invention-inwhich the tubular cover and longitudinal seam are rotated around theexterior of the forming tube prior to said cover being turned inside-outand reversely. directed to the interior of. the tube and over thefillermaterial;

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken along the line |-'|5 in Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken along the line |6|6 in Figure l i;

Figure 17 is an isometric view illustrating another modified form of theinvention in which at least two sheets of material are usedfor form,-ing the cover sheet and, in which two seams are employed at opposededges of the sheets to form a tubular cover;

Figure 18 is an isometric view of the forming tube over which thetubular cover is formed, and through which the'filler material andreversed cover are passed when forming the bandage;

Figure 19 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line |9|9 inFigure 1'7 illustrating the brush which compresses the edges of theupper cover layer into close contact'with the outer edges of the lowerlayer prior. to the seaming operation being efiected;

Figure 20 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 2ll-20 inFigure 1'7, illustrating the mechanism for turning the projecting edgesof the tubular cover, which are disposed beyond the seam, into parallelrelation to one of the faces of the bandage material;

Figure 21 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 2|2| inFigure 17, said view being similar to Figure 20, except theprojectingedges beyond the seam are turned to completely parallel positions to oneface of the bandage cover;

Figure 22 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the lines 22-22in Figures 17 and 19.

Primary cover forming mechanism or the like is folded upon itself in asubstantially,

U-shaped position while the same is traveling. This U-shaped sheet ofmaterial is then, fed

through a forming apparatus at an angle to the longitudinal travel of a.continuous lap of filler material, and when the U-shaped cover reachesthe former, it is turned inside-out over the. former and lap of materialand then directed in. an opposite direction to the direction of travelof the lap, but on the outside of the former tube While travelling inthis opposite direction,, the

two edges of the folded sheet of material are;

united by a seam to form a, tubular member, after which the tubularmemberisturned inside-out the proper elevation relative to pulley 20,while at the end of theformer and' reversely over the lap of fillermaterial. The framework l0 supports the cover sheet roll and the primaryforming mechanism in such relative positions that the cover sheet willproperly enter the secondary forming mechanism.

By observing Figure 2, it can be seen that the framework H] hasrotatably mounted therein as at H a vertically disposed shaft I2, saidshaft projecting upwardly above the top of the framework a substantialdistance and being adapted to support therearound a roll M of covermaterial l5. This roll I4 is adapted to rest upon a suitable base platewhich is fixedly secured upon the intermediate portion of shaft I2. Asuitable washer or hub I8 is disposed around this same shaft, above theroll I4, to thereby create the necessary, friction between the roll l4and plate I! and cause shaft |2 to turn as the material I5 is unwound.

It is necessary to provide means for retard.- ing the rotation of rolll4 and shaft |2 as the material is unwound. Therefore, a grooved pulley20 is fixedly secured upon the shaft l2, said pulley having theintermediate portion of a cord or flexible member 2| engaging asubstantial portion of its periphery. This cord has one end thereofsecured to the framework 0 as at 22, and has its other end weighted asat 23, thereby causing the cord to frictionally engage the pulley grooveand thus retard its rotation. It will be noted that the portion of cord2|, which is directly above the Weight 23, is adapted to pass downwardlyand through an opening 24 in a bracket 25. maintain the intermediateportion of cord 2| at theweight 23 creates the necessary friction.

After leaving the roll l4, the sheet of material l5 passesaround acylindrical knurled guide. roll 26. The guide roll 26 is fixedly mountedupon.

a shaft 21, which, in turn, is rotatably mounted as at 28 in theframework I0 The primary forming stages of the cover sheet |5 areeffected immediately after the material leaves the cylindrical roll 26.This forming mechanism comprises a board 3|!v which has an arcuateperiphery. over which the cover slides. The vertex of the arcuateperiphery of board 30 is disposed substantially along the longitudinalcenter line of the cover sheet |5, therefore the edges of the sheet ofmaterial .will be curved in- When it is desired to swing the board 3|)varound the rod 34 as an axis, it is only necessary to manipulate thesetscrew 35. It is, of course, evident that by rotating the board 30 aboutrod 34, the amount of fold produced in the cover sheet. l5 can likewisebe varied. For xample, the smaller the angle produced between theforming board 30 and that portion of thematerial which is disposed totheright of the former 3|] (Figure l), the less Will be the amountoffold produced in the cover material. On the other hand, should theformer 30 be disposed at right angles to thepath oftravel to the sheetof the.

The purpose of this bracket is tov material l5, then the amount offorming would be at a maximum.

Secondary cover forming mechanism After the primary forming stages havebeen effected and the sheet of cover material l has been folded alongits longitudinal center line to substantially the position shown inFigure 3, it is fed into a forming apparatus broadly designated by thereference character 31. By observing Figures 5 and 6, it can be seenthat the forming apparatus 31 has a U-shaped groove 38 therein, thelength of which is substantially the same as the width of the coversheet l5. Also it will be noted that this groove serves to further bendor fold the cover sheet to a position where the upper and lower foldswill be substantially parallel, and where the edge of the upper foldwill be disposed directly above the edge of the lower fold.

Tertiary bandage cover forming mechanism The U-shaped cross-sectionalformation of the cover sheet I5 is maintained until the sheet reachesangularly disposed guide edges 39, said edges 39 being disposed aboveand below the horizontal center line of the former 31 in Figures 4 and5. In the present disclosure, the edges 39 are cut substantially at a 45angle to the line of travel of the sheet of material 5 as it approachesthe former 31. The purpose of these edges is to turn the U-shaped coverinside-out into a second U-shaped cover and to change the direction oftravel of the cover at a right angle. In other words, by providingangularly disposed edges 39 at the point of change in direction oftravel of the fabric cover, it is possible to locate the source of coversupply, such as roll I4, along one side of the bandage forming apparatus31, and at the same time, maintain a positive control of the foldededges of the material while it travels beneath the sewing mechanismwhich, in turn forms a tubular fabric from the material.

By observing Figures 1 and 4, it can be seen that the angularly disposededges 39 form one end of a second U-shaped member 40, and this U-shapedmember has a hollow member 4| disposed therein. (See Figure '7.) Theouter side walls of member 4| are disposed in spaced relation to theinner walls of U-shaped member 40 thereby forming a U-shaped groove 43.It is in this U-shaped groove 43 that the turned tubular fabric I5 isadapted to travel, said groove 43 being disposed substantially at rightangles to the groove 38 previously described.

Although th grooves 38 and 43 are shown at right angles, it is evidentthat any desired angle could be present between these grooves withoutsubstantially changing the results, provided the edges 39 are cut at theproper angle to cause the folded material to feed from one groove to theother.

By referring to Figures 4, l0, and 11, it can be seen that the hollowmember 4| is supported by the member 40 as at 45 and 46. Also in Figure10, it can be seen that the open ends of U-shaped member 40 convergetoward each other as at 40a thereby providing means for guiding thsuperposed edges of the cover material |5 toward each other Prior touniting the same. These superposed edges of the cover material travel tothe right in Figure from the points 40a and are united by a seam 48 orby other suitable means, said seam being provided by means of a sewingmechanism broadly designated by the reference character 50.

Seam guiding mechanism Seam 48 forms the cover sheet into a tubularfabric, which at the time of formation, encases the exterior of thehollow forming tube 4 I. Since it is usually necessary to provide theseam 48 a substantial distance from the edges of the upper and lowercover folds, it is evident that projecting edges |5a will be providedbeyond the seam. As heretofore stated, these projecting e ges Will serveto create a rib adjacent the seam line if the same are not properlyfolded into parallel position to one face of the cover sheet. In thepresent form of the invention, means are shown whereby both of theseedges will be folded into parallel positions to each other and alsoparallel to one of the faces of the tubular member prior to the tubularmember being turned and reversely directed over a lap of filler materialto form' a bandage strip.

In the disclosed form the invention the bandage is substantiallyrectangular in cross section and is adapted to have one face especiallyprovided for contacting an injured portion of the body. Therefore, it isonly necessary to turn the projecting edges |-5a in a direction so thatthe same will be remotely disposed from the con tact face of the bandageand away from the injury.

In order to effect this turning of the edges |5a, a suitable guide wire,or similar mechanism 52, is provided on the exterior of the hollowforming member 4| and near the end thereof. (Figures 1 and 12.) The seam48 first engages the guide member 52 substantially along the horizontalcenter line of the hollow member 4| after which the seam is graduallydirected upwardly in the manner shown in Figures 8 and 9. As the seamrises upwardly and travels longitudinally of the former 4|, theprojecting edges |5a are gradually turned over to the top side of thetubular fabric so that the edges will be parallel to the top face priorto turning the tubular member inside out and reversely directing thesame to the interior of the hollow member and over a rectangular fillermaterial 53, said filler material usually being cotton which is cardedin such a manner that the fibers are disposed substantially parallel tothe longitudinal center line of the bandage strip.

Figures 1, 10, 11, and 13 show the method of turning this tubular memberinside out and reversely directing it to the interior of the former 4|.When the edges |'5a reach the end of tubular former member 4|, theseparallel edges are disposed on the top side of the tubular member aswell as on the top side of the former 4|. At the point of reversal, thetubular member and the projecting parallel edges |5a are fed into theinterior of the former 4| to encase the filler material 53. Therefore,the projecting edges |5a will be turned to the inside of the tubularmember and in a position where the sam will be disposed between thefiller material and the interior face of the tubular cover. In otherwords, the projecting edges |5a will extend away from the contact faceof the bandage material so that seam 48 and the associated projectingedges |5a will not serve to irritate an injury upon which the bandage isplaced. This operation completes the formation of the bandage strip orpad. As the encased filler material passes from the form 4|, it isgripped by any suitable drafting means such as rollers 51 and 58 (Figure1). These rollers are disposed upon shafts 59 and 60, said shafts havingintermeshing gears BI and 62 respectively for driving the same. Shaft 59extends to a gear reducing mechanism 63 which is driven by a motor 64,said mechanism 63 having a shaft 65 extending therefrom upon which apulley 86 is mounted. Upon this pulley 66 a belt 68 is mounted, saidbelt being also mounted upon another pulley 59 of the sewing mechanism59. This arrangement permits the sewing mechanism 59 to be operated intimed relation to the movement of the filler and cover materials.

It is therefore seen that means have been provided whereby the covermaterial may be fed sidewise into the former at an angle to the path oftravel of the filler material, and that the edges of this cover materialmay be folded into substantially parallel superposed positions to eachother so that the same may be formed into a tubular cover, and thenemployed to encase a filler material to form a completed bandage stripor pad.

Modified form of seam guide Figures 14, 15, and 16 show a slightlymodified form of the invention in which means are incorporated forrotating the tubular fabric around the hollow former 4! so that the seam48 can be caused to occupy any desired position relative to the outerperiphery of the filler material 53. In other words, it is oftennecessary to unite or seam the edges of the filler material when thesame are disposed at one point on the periphery of the hollow former 4!,and to subsequently rotate the seam and tubular member around the hollowformer to another point on the periphery. This rotation may be as muchas 90 degrees to locate the seam in the most remote position from theside edges of the bandage strip, while the tubular member is travellingin a general longitudinal direction.

The above-named rotation of the tubular cover is effected by means of aguide wire I5 and a guide, plate I6. It is seen that the guide wire I5has one end thereof secured to the outer side edge of the former M as at'11, said point I! being disposed slightly below the horizontal centerline of the former. The guide wire then gradually moves upwardly andoutwardly for a substantial length of the tubular member, and then itmoves inwardly above the former towards the longitudinal center line.The other end of the wire is secured as at 18 to the upper side of theformer M. When looking at the wire I5 in plan as shown in Figure 14, itsshape resembles the letter S, and this wire causes the seam 48 togradually travel inwardly towards the center former 4|. A plate I6 isprovided, said plate having a guiding edge 76a which cooperates with theguide wire I5 and serves to further direct the seam 48 inwardly towardsthe center line of the former. At the same time, the edge 'Ita rotatesthe tubular fabric further around the former II. The two projectingedges of the tubular member are directed into parallel relationship toone of the faces of the tubular member, therefore, these edges willoccupy a minimum amount of space and create a smaller rib in thecompleted bandage strip. In Figure 16 it is seen that the seam 48 andthe projecting edges I511. are disposed in the above-named parallelpositions before the tubular member is turned inside out and reverselydirected to the interior of the former, as well as after turning andreversing. This type of bandage construction is employed when it isdesired to remove the seam line 48 and projecting edges I5a stillfurther from the side edges of the finished bandage.

Modified bandage forming structure Figures 17 to 22 inclusive show stillanother modified form of the invention in which some of the sameprinciples employed in the preceding form are present. In this form,however, means are provided for making a tubular cover out of two ormore sheets of material and then reversing the tubular cover over a batof filler material to form a bandage strip. This type of construction ispreferable Where it is necessary to employ one type of cover materialupon the contact surface of the bandage and another type of covermaterial upon the surface which is removed from this contact surface.

Referring to Figure 17, a roll of material is provided from which asheet 66 passes. This sheet 86 travels downwardly beneath a roller 81,and then horizontally adjacent the upper side of a hollow former 88.(See Figure 18.) At the same time, another sheet of material 89 passesupwardly from a roll 99, over a roller 9|, and then horizontally belowformer 88 in a substantially parallel position to the sheet 86. Itshould be noted that the sheet 86 passes above the former 88 while thesheet 89 passes beneath this same former, both of said sheets 39 beingsomewhat wider than the former to thereby provide projecting edges whichcan be united by any suitable means such as seams to form a tubularcover around the former 88.

The upper sheet 86 has its edges pressed downwardly upon the upper sideof the former 88 and upon the edges of the lower sheet 89 in the mannershown in Figure 19 by means of a suitable brush 93. Immediately afterthe edges of the two sheets 86 and 89 have been pressed together in themanner shown in Figures 17 and 19, they are united by sewing mechanisms94 and 95 which, in turn, form seams 96 and 91 respectively alongopposed outer edges of the former 88.

As in the preceding case, the projecting edges 86a and 89a, which aredisposed beyond the seams 95 and 91, must be folded into parallelpositions to one of the faces of the cover material so that a minimumrib will be produced adjacent the seam line in the finished bandage. Inorder to effect this turning of the projecting edges substantially asdescribed, suitable guide wires 99 and I08 are provided at opposed edgesof the former 88 and adjacent the end of the forming tube Where thematerial is reversed therethrough. It can be seen by observing Figures18, 20 and 21 that the guide wires 99 and I88 extend outwardly andupwardly so that the seams 96 and 91 will be guided accordingly. Inother Words, the guide wires 99 and I80 have one end thereof attachednear the lower edge of the tube 88 as at 99a and IIlOa respectively. Itis at these points that the seam first engages the guide wire after thetubular member has been formed. The seam then follows the guide wiresupwardly until the seam has been elevated to substantially the sameposition as shown in Figure 21 and when at this elevation the projectingedges 86a and 89a have been folded into parallel positions relative tothe top layer 86. It will also be noted that the upper end of wires 99and I80 are secured near the end of the tubular member 88 as at 99b andI801) respectively. When the tubular cover reaches the end of the hollowformer 88, it is turned inside out and reversely directed through theinterior portion thereof and over a hat of filler material I 02 tothereby form a finished bandage strip or pad in which the projectingedges beyond the seams are remotely disposed from the contact face ofthe bandage strip or pad. After leaving the former 88, the finishedbandage strip passes between suitable drafting rollers I03 and I04, saiddrafting rollers serving to pull the cover sheets 86 and 89 from theirrespective rolls and also to pull the bat of material through the formeralong with the tubular cover.

The seam 48 is preferably formed from a thread of contrasting color tothe tube of fabric. When the tube of fabric is turned along itslongitudinal axis and is disposed away from the edges of the bandage andthe like, the colored seam will indicate that this side is to beremotely disposed from the body surface to which the bandage is applied.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not forpurposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in theclaims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for continuously encasing a moving strip of filler materialwithin a moving sheet of cover material, comprising means for foldingsaid cover sheet into a U-shape in cross-section substantially along itslongitudinal center line, a hollow form disposed at an angle to the lineof travel of said U-shaped cover sheet, said form being adapted toreceive said moving filler strip, means for reversly rotating the foldsof said U-shaped cover sheet about said center line through an angle ofsubstantially 180 degrees and over the exterior of said hollow form tothereby reverse the concavity of the U-shaped cover, means for forming aline of stitches near the edges of said U -shaped cover to form atubular cover while the cover travels longitudinally over said form,means for reversely directly said tubular member at the end of saidform, and then through the interior of said form over said moving fillerstrip whereby the filler material is encased in said tubular cover, theend of the form where the tubular member is reversed having a laterallyextending member disposed at an angle to the longitudinal plane of theform to engage the flaps extending from the line of both in the samedirection tubular member and away the form.

2. Apparatus for continuously encasing. a moving strip of fillermaterial within a moving sheet of cover material, comprising means forfolding said cover sheet into a U-shape substantially along itslongitudinal center line, a hollow form disposed at an angle to the lineof travel to said U-shaped cover sheet, said form being adapted toreceive said moving filler strip, means for reversely rotating the foldsof said U-shaped cover sheet about said center line through an angle ofsubstantially 180 degrees and over the exterior of said hollow form tothereby reverse the concavity of the U-shaped cover, means for unitingthe edges of said U-shaped cover to form a tubular cover while the covertravels longitudinally over said form, means for axially rotating saidtubular cover about the exterior of said form while the tubular covertravels longitudinally thereof, and means for reversely moving saidtubular member over the end of said form and then through the stitchesto turn them against the side of the from the side edge of interior ofsaid form, over said moving filler strip whereby the filler material isencased in said tubular cover.

3. Apparatus for continuously encasing a moving strip of filler materialwithin a moving sheet of cover material, comprisin means for foldingsaid cover sheet into a U -shape substantially along its longitudinalcenter line, a hollow form disposed at an angle to the lin of travel tosaid U-shaped cover sheet, said form being adapted to receive saidmoving. filler strip, means for reversely rotating the folds of saidU-shaped'cover sheet about its line of travel, though an angle ofsubstantially degrees and over the exterior of said hollow form tothereby reverse the concavity of said U-shaped cover, means for unitingthe edges of said second U-shaped cover to form a'tubular cover whilethe cover travels longitudinally over said form, means on one edge ofthe form and engageable with said united edges for axially rotating saidtubular cover about the exterior of said form whil the tubular covertravels longitudinally thereof, and means for reversely moving saidtubular member through the interior of said form and over said movingfiller strip whereby the filler material is encased in said tubularcover.

4. Apparatus for encasing a strip of filler material within a tubularcover, comprising a, hollow form around which said tubular cover isadapted to be positioned and through which said filler material isadapted to travel, means for axially rotating said tubular cover aboutthe exterior of said form while the tubular cover travels longitudinallythereof, and means for reversely moving said tubular cover through theinterior of said form and over said travelling filler strip whereby thefiller material is encased in said tubular cover.

5. Apparatus for encasing a strip of filler material within a tubularfabric, said tubular fabric having a longitudinal seam therein,comprising a hollow form around which said tubular fabric is adapted tobe positioned and through which said filler-material is adapted totravel, means engageable with said seam for axially rotating saidtubular fabric about the exterior of said form while the tubular fabrictravels longitudinally thereof, and means for reversely moving saidtubular cover through the interior of said form and over said travellingfiller strip whereby the filler material is encased in said tubularcover.

6. Apparatus for continuously encasing a moving strip of fillermaterialwithin a moving sheet of cover material, comprising a hollow form aroundwhich said moving sheet is adapted to be positioned and through whichsaid filler material is adapted to travel, means for uniting the edgesof said sheet to form a tubular cover while the sheet travelslongitudinally over said form, means for axially rotating said tubularcover about the exterior of said form while the tubular 7 cover travelslongitudinally thereof, and means for reversely directly said tubularcover through the interior of said form and over said travelling fillerstrip whereby the filler material is encased in said tubular cover.

7. Apparatus for continuously encasing a mov ing strip of fillermaterial within a moving sheet of cover material, comprising a hollowform around which said moving sheet is adapted to be positioned andthrough which said filler material is adapted to travel, means foruniting the edges of said sheet to form a tubular cover while the covertravels longitudinally over-said form, means on the edge of the form forengaging one edge of thetubular'member and for axially rotating saidtubular cover about the exterior of said form while the tubularcovertravels longitudinally thereof, and means for reversely directingsaid tubular cover through the interior of said form and over saidtravelling filler strip whereby the filler material is encased in saidtubular cover.

8. Apparatus for encasing a strip of filler ma terial within a tubularcover, said cover having a longitudinalv seam therein uniting adjoiningcover sections along a line disposed in spaced relation to the edges ofsaid sections wherebyeXteriorly projecting flaps will extend from saidcover, comprising a hollow form around which said tubular cover isadapted to be positioned and through which said filler. material isadapted to travel, means on one edge of the hollow-form for engaging theseam for rotating said projecting flaps about said seam intosubstantially parallel positions. with relation to each other and withrelation to the'adjacent cover while the cover travels longitudinally onthe exterior of said form, andmeans for reversely directing said tubularcover and positioned flaps through the interior of said form and oversaid travelling strip of filler material to encase the filler materialin the tubular cover.

9. Apparatus for continuously encasing a moving strip of filler materialwithin a moving sheet of cover material, comprising a hollow form aroundwhich said moving sheet is adapted to be positioned and through whichsaid filler material is adapted to travel, means for uniting adjoiningcover sections along a longitudinal line disposed in spaced relation tothe edges of said sections whereby exteriorly projecting flaps willextend from said cover, means on the exterior of the form for engagingthe cover along the line where it is united for rotating said projectingflaps about said uniting line into substantially parallel positions-toeach other and also parallel to the adjacent cover while the covertravels 1ongitudinally on the exterior of said form, and means forreversely directing said tubular cover and positioned flaps through theinterior of said form and over said travelling filler strip to encasethe filler material in the tubular cover,

10. Apparatus for encasing a strip of filler material within a tubularcover, said cover having a longitudinal seam therein uniting adjoiningcover sections alonga line disposed in spaced relation to the edges ofsaid sections whereby exteriorly projecting flaps will extend from saidcover, comprising an angularly disposed member for engaging the coveralong said seam for rotating said projecting flaps about said seam intosubstantially parallel positions to each other and to the adjacent coverwhile the cover travels longitudinally and means for reversely directingsaid tubular cover and positioned flaps, and turning the cover insideout, and means for feeding the filler material into the cover as it isturned inside out to encase the filler material in the tubular cover.

11. Apparatus for forming a strip for surgical dressings, bandages,sanitary napkins, and the like, comprising an annular member, means forfoldinga' continuously moving fabric and securing its edges together toform a tube, means for engaging the inside of the tube at the pointwhere it is secured, and holdingthe tube in alinement with the securingmeans, and rotating the tube about its longitudinal axis, means on theoutsideof-the tube for also engaging the tube at the point where itsedges are secured together for imparting further rotative movement tothe tube, theannular member serving as means for reversing the directionof travel of the tube and turning it inside out, and means for feeding aweb of filler material into the tube at the point where it is turnedinside out.

12. Apparatus for forming a strip for making surgical dressings,bandages, sanitary napkins, and the like comprising means for folding acontinuously moving fabric and sewing its edges together to form a tube,means for engaging the inside of the tube along the line of stitchesformed by the sewing machine and holding the line of stitches inalinement with the sewing means and for also rotating. the tube about itlongitudinal axis, means on the outside of th tube for also engaging thetube along its scan line for imparting further rotative movement to thetube, means for reversing the direction of the travel of the tube andturning it inside out and means for feeding a web of filler materialinto the tube at the point where it is turned inside out.

13. Apparatus for encasing a strip of filler material within a tubularfabric, said tubular fabric having a longitudinal seam therein,comprising a hollow form around which said tubular fabric is adapted tobe positioned and through which said filler material'is adapted totravel, means on the inside of the tubular fabric engageable with saidseam for axially rotating said tubular fabric: about the exterior ofsaid form while the tubular fabric travels longitudinally thereof, meanson the exterior of the tubular fabric cooperating with the means on theinterior of the tubular fabric for assisting the means on the interiorof the fabric for axially rotating the tubular fabric about the exteriorof said form, and means for reversely moving said tubular fabric throughthe interior of said form and over said travelling filler materialwhereby the filler material is encased in said tubular cover.

14. That method of encasing a lap of filler material within a tubularfabric which comprises yieldingly pressing together the opposed edges ofa pair of longitudinally moving strips of material and at the same timemaintaining the intermediate proximate faces of said strips in spacedrelation to each other, uniting said strips by a pair of seams disposedin parallel spaced relation to the outer edges of the strips therebyproviding a tube having exteriorly projecting strip margins beyond eachseam line, folding the projecting margins about their respective seamlines into parallel positions with the exterior face of one of saidstrips and with relation to each other, turning said tube inside out andfeeding a lap of filler material therein while maintaining said marginsin said parallel positions relative to said strip face.

15. That method of encasing a strip of lap material which comprisesuniting the edges of adjoining cover sections by a seam disposed inparallel spaced relation to the outer edges of said sections therebyproviding a tube having exteriorly projecting margins beyond the seamline, folding the projecting margins about said seam line into parallelpositions to each other and to the exterior face of one of saidsections, turning said tube inside out and feeding a strip of lapmaterial therein while maintaining said margins in said parallelpositions relative to the face of said cover section.

WILLIAM D. YOUNG.

